The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Timothy 1:15-17, “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.
16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Many people, maybe even most, would agree that “Christ Jesus came into the world wo save sinners.” The rub comes with the rest of the sentence that says, “among whom I am foremost…” It’s hard to admit that we fall into the category of “sinners,” much harder still to admit that we are among the foremost.

Many people have physical maladies that should be examined by a competent physician, but since they’re not excruciating, they are neglected, and the individual dies. The only difference between the physical and the spiritual is that the physical may not be life-threatening.

The Bible teaches that all of us have sinned, and are in need of salvation that Jesus alone can provide. Since eternity is lies beyond this life, it is imperative that we give attention to it while we are able. I am aware that every Grands Letter I write could be my last. Every one you read could be you last as well. Salvation is not determined by what church you attend, or by whether you live a life that is better than those around you. Your salvation depends upon whether you have trusted Jesus Christ to be your Savior. He alone died upon a cross and shed His blood for you!

“Today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your heart” (Heb. 3:8, 15; 4:7)

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

2 Thessalonians 1:6-12, “For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,
8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed– for our testimony to you was believed.
11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power,
12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

It would be my guess that everyone reading this letter has, at one time or another (maybe often), been purposely afflicted by someone. I’m thinking that people have lied about you, worked what evil they could devise to embarrass and hurt you –just doing you wrong in some incredible way!

Paul’s inspired instructions are that you and I ought not to worry because the LORD and His host of heavenly angels will repay our adversaries –and the repayment itself will accrue to the glory of the LORD! Further, they “will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the LORD…”

Paul in no way is enticing us to retaliate against those who openly oppose us. The LORD Himself will support us by vindicating our witness of Him. The LORD’s Name is to be glorified in our speech and in our lifestyle. We are never to retaliate, as we belong to Him and our attitudes are always to bespeak His impeccable likeness and character. When we glorify the LORD Jesus in our lifestyles, He, in turn, works within us in grace and with power! He then wins even when it looks as if we are the victors. May His Name ever and always be praised!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

We are living in exceedingly difficult times. Everything known to us as morally pure has been effectively turned on its head. Women want to become men; men want to become women. Women abort their children, but deny that abortion is murder. We even have a U. S. Supreme Court Justice, who claims she cannot define the word “woman” because she is not a biologist. Pastors are being dismissed from their pulpits because of innumerable, indiscreet activities. The love of money has replaced the love of souls. And some known as “evangelicals,” are denying the veracity of the Scriptures, the very Word of God!

Apart from the message of salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection, there is nothing as exciting to believers as the promise of His personal, visible return to earth, known as the Rapture!

At that point in time, loved ones, who trusted Him in their lifetime and have preceded us in death, will be raised alive from their graves and, with all living believers, will be caught up to meet Christ in the air! The Apostle Paul writes this word to comfort us concerning believing loved ones who have died and are themselves awaiting resurrection. This is comfort for you –unless you have yet to believe on Him. “Today,” the Bible says, “is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). Have you trusted Him? Oh, I pray that you have! Time is running out…

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Colossians 1:2b-8, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;
5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the Word of truth, the gospel
6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;
7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,
8 and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.”

It’s always encouraging to receive a notice that brings good tidings. Grace and Peace are two of the very best notifications, especially when they are mentioned in connection with God the Father and the LORD Jesus Christ. What can one do but give joyful thanks in earnest prayer? Faith and love then follow closely the giving of thanks.

For what can we be more thankful than the Word of God, which we have in the love of the Holy Spirit? Feeding daily upon the Word of God promtes spiritual growth and fervent witnessing. It may not seem so in the times in which we are living; however, we are so saturated with news of gross sin, that pristine news suffers near total erasure. The Gospel, however, is bearing fruit! People are being saved; and they are faithfully witnessing to others.

It is my sincere attempt to leave everyone I meet with a warm, spiritual hope. Sharing the Gospel should always be our preeminent intention. When circumstances, however, do not allow a truly full witness, a simple “God bless you” offers an upward, upbeat parting communication. It also provides a “love in the Spirit,” that provokes focus on the LORD Jesus Christ.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Philippians 1:3-10, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,
5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.
6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.
8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,
10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ…”

What a sweet notation Paul sites of the Philippians! He thanks God for every remembrance he has of them! Don’t you wish you could honestly say that of everyone you’ve met? What’s more, don’t you wish everyone you’ve met could have that notation of you?

Somewhat inadvertantly, perhaps, Paul notes that this fellowship comes from their participation with him in he Gospel. It takes a minimum of two sincere believers, working together for a common cause, for that to be honestly said. Do you have a friend who works with you in sharing the Gospel? Someone has said that the best way to get rid of your enemies is to make friends of them. Undoubtedly, Paul had long ago learned that.

Paul’s admonition was that the Philippians might abound in true love. He shared with them an accurate focus on true knowledge and spiritual discernment. That enabled them both to “approve the things that are excellent,” making them compatible with each other and be ready when Christ would appear.

Do you have a love for other people? –not just the ones who love you, but the ones who don’t? Such love is spiritual and is derived from knowing Christ as your Savior and living daily in the Word of God –the Bible! Children grow physically by eating. Christians grow spiritually by devouring the Scriptures. Start today by reading this short letter to the Philippians. It will prepare you for the day Jesus returns.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom